Garda/Policing

The role of the Policing Division

The Policing Division in the Department is responsible for the development of policy towards and oversees the provision of resources to the Garda Síochána. The division is effectively the primary link between the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Garda Síochána on these matters.

The Policing Division also represents the Minister in discussions with other agencies and bodies on policing related matters such as legal actions, EU matters, governance and the provision of resources generally.

The Division receives reports from the Garda Síochána on matters relating to the application and use of Garda resources, the achievement of its objectives and matters relating to performance and governance of the force. These reports are used to allow the Minister to carry out her statutory and constitutional duties vis-à-vis the Government and Oireachtas (legislature).

Apart from general administrative duties dealing with correspondence to the Minster, Freedom of Information requests, parliamentary questions and other parliamentary business, the staff in the Division also deals with:

development of relevant legislation relating to the Garda Síochána

overseeing the provision of various resources such as vehicles, equipment etc and of course all personnel (sworn or otherwise) in the organisation;

Current commissions of investigation and other inquiries

The Minister for Justice and Equality is responsible for overseeing administrative matters relating to two commissions of investigation which have been established under the Commissions of investigation Act 2004: